Closure ring for container



Jan. 1, 1957 w. COOKSON 2,775,159

CLOSURE RING FOR CONTAINER Filed Jan. 20, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 1, 1957 -w. cooKsoN CLOSURE RING FOR CONTAINER.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 20, 1954 United States Patent CLOSURE RING FOR CONTAINER William Cookson, Fareham, England Application January 20, 1954, Serial No. 405,130

Claims priority, application Great Britain January 21, 1953 2 Claims. (Cl. 292-256.6)

This invention relates to improvements in closure rings for containers, and has for an object to provide means for latching together the ends of closure rings.

Another object of the invention is to provide latching means for closure rings, which eliminate the use of toggles and similar devices.

A further object is to provide latching means which can be cheaply produced and operated without the use of special tools.

In accordance with the invention 1 provide latching means for a releasable closure ring for securing a lid to a container, said closure ring being transversely separated and provided adjacent the ends formed by said separation with snap action latching means comprising a wedge-shaped catch in one end of said ring to engage in one or more slots or recessed parts or members in the other end of the ring adapted to engage with said catch.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood, and readily carried into effect, reference will be made to the accompanying drawing, wherein the invention is illustrated by way of example.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates a fragmentary perspective view of the lid and top of a container;

Figure 2 illustrates a fragmentary perspective view of the container lid and top fitted with a closure ring;

Figure 3 illustrates in fragmentary perspective view the preferred form of latching means on the ends of the closure ring;

Figure 4 illustrates in fragmentary perspective view the closure ring latched together in one position;

Figure 5 illustrates in fragmentary perspective view the closure ring latched together in a second position;

Figure 6 illustrates a fragmentary perspective view of a container lid and another type of a container, fitted with a closure ring;

Figure 7 illustrates a fragmentary perspective view of an alternative form of latching means on the ends of the closure ring shown in Fig. 6;

Figure 8 illustrates a fragmentary perspective view of the closure ring shown in Fig. 6, latched together in one position, and

Figure 9 illustrates a fragmentary perspective view of the closure ring shown in Fig. 6, latched together in a second position.

In Fig. 1, the top of a container 6, of circular or similar shape made from metal, plastic, or other suitable material, has a chime or bead 7. A lid 8 has a flanged periphery 9 in which is held a suitable gasket 10. In Fig. 2, a closure ring 11, made of sheet metal, plastic, or other suitable material, comprises a section of substantially channel or U form which embraces and secures the lid to the top of the container.

Fig. 3 shows closure ring 11 transversely separated with ends at 12 and 13. On end 12 is provided a slot 14, partly covered at one end by a recessed bridge or cover 15 which has a closed end 16. A section 17, pref erably wedge-shaped, is provided on the edge of end 12.

On end 13 of the closure ring there are provided a wedge-shaped catch 18 and a transverse slot 19, as shown.

To operate the latching means, the ends of closure ring 11 are drawn together until slot 14 snaps over and engages catch 18, as in Fig. 4. In this first position of the latch, the closure ring is easily contracted sufiiciently to hold the lid on the container without the necessity of applying undue force to fit the ring. More force, however, is required to contract the closure ring tightly to the container, and this is provided by a screwdriver or similar tool, which is inserted in slot 19, as in Fig. 4, to lever bridge 15 over catch 18 until the closed end 16 snaps over said catch.

In this second position, as shown in Fig. 5, of the latch, the closure ring securely holds the lid on the container, so providing a closure which can withstand considerable damage without any leakage of the container contents. A wire seal 20 is provided to secure the latch.

To release the latch, the wire seal is removed, and a screwdriver is inserted under wedge section 17 to prize bridge 15 clear of catch 18. The latch can be opened and closed repeatedly Without deterioration in its efficiency.

In Fig. 6, the top of a container 21, of circular or similar shape, made from metal, plastic, or other suitable material, has a chime or bead 22 of substantially wedgeshaped section, with a broad apex. A lid 23 has a flanged periphery 24, in which is held a suitable gasket 25. A closure ring 26, made of sheet metal, plastics, or other suitable material, comprises a section of substantially channel or U form which embraces and secures the lid to the top of the container.

Fig. 7 shows closure ring 26 transversely separated with ends as at 27 and 28. At end 27 is provided a slot 29, partly covered, as shown, by recessed bridges 30 and 31, of wedge-shaped section.

On end 28 of the closure ring there are provided a wedge-shaped catch 32, and a transverse slot 33, as shown.

To operate the latching means, closure ring 26 is placed round the flanged periphery 24 of lid 23, and ends 27 and 28 drawn together until the front edge 34 of slot 29 snaps over and engages catch 32, as in Fig. 8. Latched in the first position the closure ring is of such a diameter that it can be sprung over head 22 to hold the lid 23 in position and to exert pressure on gasket 25 (Fig. 6). After assembly, the closure ring may be further contracted by inserting a screwdriver through slot 29 at edge 35 of bridge 30 into slot 33, in a similar manner as for operating the latching means shown in Fig. 4. Bridge 30 is then levered forward until edge 36 of bridge 31 snaps over catch 32.

In this second position of the latch, as shown in Fig. 9, the closure is securely fitted to the container, a wire seal 37 being provided to secure the latch against accidental opening.

To release the latch, the wire seal is removed, and a screwdriver inserted under bridge 31 to prize said bridge clear of catch 32. The latch can be opened and closed repeatedly without deterioration in its etficiency.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Latching means for a releaseable closure ring for securing a lid to a container, said closure ring being transversely separated to provide a first end portion and a second end portion, said end portions having cooperating snap-action latching means comprising a wedgeshaped catch and a transverse slot between said wedgeshaped catch and the free end of said first end portion of said snap ring, and at least one slot formed in said second end portion of the ring adapted to engage said wedge-shaped catch to latch said end portions in a preliminary engaging position, a recessed bridge across the slot in said second end portion and providing a shoulder 5 against which the wedge-shaped catch in said first end portion of said closure ring may engage, the transverse slot in the first end portion providing means for insertion of a tool to reduce the closure ring to a smaller circumference and to prize and force the latching means into 10 a final secured position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Jesser Jan. 28, 1936 Cookson Mar. 31, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Feb. 11, 1949 

